Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton on Thursday lambasted the PPP government for the blackout crisis that has gripped the nation. While accusing the government of being stubborn and incompetent, Norton and his advisors raised several critical points regarding the electricity situation in Guyana.
The opposition’s Economic and Youth Policy Advisor, Elson Low stated that blackouts are far from the norm in well-funded and well-maintained electricity systems, emphasizing that with Guyana’s abundant resources and a substantially increased national budget, frequent blackouts are inexcusable. He said the situation has left the average citizens struggling while the political elite remains insulated with their generators.
The government’s actions regarding “big businesses” allegedly overwhelming generation capacity were also scrutinized. The opposition called for an immediate explanation on why electricity rationing continues despite claims of removing these businesses from the grid. This, they argued, showcases either initial misjudgment or a failure to address the situation adequately.
The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) had previously warned of the need for additional generation capacity in 2023, a prediction, the opposition said has come to pass. The opposition questioned why the government did not support GPL with this capacity as the crisis was foreseeable, and it believes that the government should procure at least 50 MW of additional electricity generation capacity to mitigate the blackout risk.
The opposition also highlighted a recent 46.5 MW generation failure at the Garden of Eden Plant, and the fact that a significant portion of generation capacity is classified as “unreliable.” They called for a renewed focus on adding reliable capacity to the system, particularly with the delayed Gas-to-Energy project. The opposition insisted that investing in a reliable transmission and distribution network is essential for improving electricity supply.
Amalia Falls Hydro project, a subject of skepticism, was also addressed. The opposition questioned its feasibility and emphasized the need to explore all renewable energy options, including solar. They pledged to focus on long-term expansion of power generation through natural gas, solar, hydro, or wind power.
According to the opposition, the government must shift its focus from the Amalia Falls project to address the crippling blackout crisis.
In addition, Low stated that once in government, APNU will ensure reliable electrical transmission grids when in office, emphasizing that electricity is an essential service and that the current government has shown contempt for the average Guyanese by allowing these persistent blackouts.